Temple of Art: The Documentary

$80,062

824

THE PROJECT:

Since early 2012 I have been photographing fine artists and inviting them to interpret those portraits through their particular medium. An artist’s work can act as both bridge and barrier; at once deeply personal and highly distorted; the lens through which we present our perception of the world, and the world that in turn interprets us.

As a full-time photographer I engage in a daily meditation on art as a spiritual and alchemical practice; that nevertheless demands relentless hustle and a pathological immunity to rejection. During the shoots I found myself asking the artists about their processes and motivations, and drawing comparisons with my own approach to photography and portraiture. But how best to surround and consummate the conversations, the artists and the Work?

The TEMPLE OF ART documentary will provide an insightful look into the lives of some of our favorite working artists by following the progress of the collaborations from conception to completion, alongside interviews with the artists themselves. Not to mention our panel at this year’s Comic Con, the opening at La Luz de Jesus, the Baby Tattoo book launch, and future events designed to gather the artists together to talk about what informs, inspires, and motivates them. And how they’ve hacked a life that is both sustained and intensified by making art.

Rarely are we given an opportunity to confront our perceptions of reality and self; this film will illuminate the universal tension between the pursuit of our vision and the demands of a critical and implacable world.” – Allan Amato

In February of 2012, I photographed David Mack, the visionary writer and artist behind Kabuki. The images that resulted were and continue to be some of my all time favorites, and we both got along fantastically due largely to our rugged, yet strangely vulnerable good looks. I felt compelled to do a little brushwork in photoshop to one of the shots, but thought to myself (though I believe I was moving my lips at the time) - how cool would it be if David painted over the image itself, thereby making it one of a kind, rather than an infinitely reproducible digital file? What if I could get him to paint dutifully on forty or fifty of my other portraits, then have a grand gallery show, and a book; and be revered not only as the best portrait photographer born on july 18th, but as a pioneer of an entirely new and undiscovered medium that combined both fine art and photography? Ok, so the pioneer bit references the fact that I like to pretend I’m the only photographer on the planet, like I Am Legend, only the zombie vampires are, in this case, my dutiful assistants. And clients as well, I guess, since everyone else is dead...
Shortly thereafter, David brought the legendary Bill Sienkiewicz to the studio, and what began as an attempt to enslave David for the next decade as my indentured artist and all round valet, became the germ for Temple of Art, which has at last count enslaved and/or encouraged over 50 artists to sit for a portrait with me, then drawing, collaging, painting, etc on the final printed image. The brave men and women in question vary in discipline, as much as I do in weight class; pillars of the comics industry like Dave Mckean, David Mack and Bill Sienkiewicz rubbing hot glued and ink dusted elbows with fine art giants Kent Williams, Barron Storey and Jason Shawn Alexander. And many more creators so redolent of talent and audacity, you can smell it in outer space. By merging the objectivity of portrait photography with the subjectivity of drawing, painting, and sculpture, the artist is contextualized within the constructed reality of their own work.

Temple of Art already has an array of flourishing and highly mobile parts; an incredible co-producer for the book in Baby Tattoo, (which means as a standalone reward, you know you’ll be receiving a book of exceptional quality discounted from the retail price and shipped to you first) and a show in december at La Luz de Jesus Gallery, along with another next year at an undisclosed and thereby secret location in New York. Not to mention a sizeable presence at this year’s Comic Con. But despite the success of the project visually, I was still slightly obsessed with the conversations taking place beneath it, fueling the discourse between myself and my collaborators.

---

Risks and challenges

Logistically, this project will ultimately involve the filming and occasional tranquilizing of over fifty artists, ranging over both coasts and beyond. After dedicating over 2 years of my near eternal existence to TOA, thanks to a heady consumption of grass-fed butter infused, toxin free coffee, I have a pretty low valuation of my own time. But as with any cinematic enterprise, it takes a village. The village in question is doing what it can for fantastically “fair” wages, but we still need your help, your philanthropic bent, your desire to be the Internet’s Lorenzo de Medici, a true patron of the arts, to get this beautiful baby off and running, metaphorically speaking. Since babies tend to waddle and gurgle and fall over…

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $5 or more
About $5

DIGITAL WALLPAPER.
In addition to total consciousness, You'll receive a digital image made from a selection of the finished art, signed in gratitude by myself and the artists in question, all made for your computer!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $40 or more
About $40

THE TOA TSHIRT AND POSTER! You'll receive the official 11x17 Temple of Art poster by Stephanie Inagaki, featuring David Mack, and the digital image. Oh, and an epic t-shirt printed with gold foil! The gold isn't real so don't scrape it off...(Also includes DIGI-PACK rewards).

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

SPECIAL!!!
LOST IN YOUR TRANSLATION DAVID MACK VARIANT PRINTS OF STEPHANIE INAGAKI WITH A 26 page SUPER LIMITED EDITION SDCC Exclusive Catalog! Signed by David Mack, Stephanie Inagaki, Jason Shawn Alexander, Kent Williams, Grant Morrison, Jim Mahfood, and Allan Amato. Only 20 left of these after our signing at Comic Con! Also, choose between three different equally beautiful iterations of David Mack's art of Stephanie, sized at 9x12. Plus all the DIGI-PACK rewards.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $80 or more
About $80

BOOK + HD FILM DOWNLOAD.
The book! Co-produced by Baby Tattoo and featuring all of the finished work from every artist will be sent to you!!! Signed by Allan, and whatever artists can be lassoed at the time. You even get it before Amazon, and save on shipping! Plus, the poster and DIGI-PACK rewards.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

BOOK + SIGNED DVD + HD FILM DOWNLOAD.
The book and the signed DVD! Co-produced by Baby Tattoo and featuring all of the finished work from every artist will be sent to you!!! Signed by Allan, and whatever artists can be lassoed at the time. You even get it before Amazon, and save on shipping! Plus, the poster and DIGI-PACK rewards.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $125 or more
About $125

LTD EDITION SIGNED GICLEE PRINT. Your choice between Dave Mckean, Greg Ruth, Kent Williams and David Mack, from their original TOA piece! Only 50 of each will be printed, sized at 11x14. Plus, the poster and DIGI-PACK rewards.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $150 or more
About $150

EXCLUSIVE PARTY + SIGNED DVD + HD FILM DOWNLOAD.
Kickstarter exclusive pre-release preview party at gallery La Luz de Jesus, the day before the show opening! Hobnob with the artists and see everything ahead of time. Plus the DVD, poster, and the DIGI-PACK rewards.
(Costs for accommodation and travel to LA are not included)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE BOOK + HD FILM DOWNLOAD.
Limited edition book, signed and numbered. Co-produced by Baby Tattoo and featuring all of the finished work from every artist will be sent to you!!! This is an incredibly limited run. Plus, the poster and DIGI-PACK rewards.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

ORIGINAL JASON SHAWN ALEXANDER ART. An ORIGINAL 6x9 painting by Jason, marked #5 on the Kickstarter campaign page! This is a rare chance to own something of his without selling your organs on the black market. Plus all of the $80 and above rewards.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

ORIGINAL GREG RUTH ART. An ORIGINAL 8x12 painting by Greg, marked #6 on the Kickstarter campaign page! This is the famous goshawk from INDEH that gives Goyakhla the prophecy that in turn becomes the reason why we shout "geronimo!" when we do something dangerous or a make a big leap. Plus all of the $80 and above rewards.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $300 or more
About $300

GET YOURSELF METALOCALYPSED BY JON SCHNEPP! Ever wonder what you'd look like drawn by the Metalocalypse maestro himself? Well wonder no more, for now Jon will draw you as a Metal Immortal, and the final artwork is yours to keep; after he scans it and sells you as a print, of course. We'll even meet up for breakfast to chat art, movies and heavy metal beforehand. You're buying, and we're on a hunger strike as of now, FYI. Includes the $100 reward! (Costs for accommodation and travel to LA are not included.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $300 or more
About $300

JIM MAHFOOD ORIGINAL ART. Two original 11x17 sketches, marked #10 on the Kickstarter campaign page! This is a rare chance to own something of his without selling your neighbor's organs on the black market. Includes the $80 reward!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $300 or more
About $300

GET YOUR BABIES METALOCALYPSED BY JON SCHNEPP! Ever wonder what your children would look like possessed by the spirit of the demon god Loki? Well wonder no more, for now Jon will draw you kids as rock immortals, and the final artwork is yours to keep! Includes the $100 reward! (Costs for accommodation and travel to LA are not included.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $400 or more
About $400

ALL FOUR LTD EDITION SIGNED GICLEE PRINTS! Dave Mckean, Greg Ruth, Kent Williams and David Mack, from their original TOA piece! Only 50 of each will be printed, sized at 11x14. Plus all of the $80 and above rewards.!!!!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

TEMPLE OF ART PHOTO SHOOT.
A portrait sitting of your very own! Get photographed like a boss by Allan Amato for an obscenely epic price and get a book as well! Plus, the poster and DIGI-PACK rewards. (Must be located in LA. Costs for accommodation and travel to LA are not included)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $550 or more
About $550

ORIGINAL BILL SIENKIEWICZ ART. AGGRESSOR. An ORIGINAL art piece by Bill Sienkiewicz, creator of Stray Toasters! 11x17 pen & ink on bristol board. Plus all of the $250 LTD edition book and above rewards.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $650 or more
About $650

ART COLLECTOR STARTER KIT: COMICS BUNDLE. Four pieces of original art from the epic Bill Sienkiewicz, Brian Thies, John Malloy and Teresa Fischer, housed within a limited edition Temple of Art Book! This is an incredible chance to both support the film and become an art collector simultaneously. You receive an avalanche of stunning original works by four Temple of Art artists. Contains: The Stride by Bill Sienkiewicz, BFG 17x11 by Brian Thies, The Boy 10x8 by John Malloy, Mini Bot by Teresa Fischer. Includes the $250 Limited Edition Book reward!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $650 or more
About $650

KYLE STECKER ORIGINAL ART BUNDLE. Five original pieces by Kyle Stecker housed within a Limited Edition Temple of Book. This is an incredible chance to both support the film and become an art collector simultaneously! Includes the $250 Limited Edition Book reward!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $650 or more
About $650

ART COLLECTOR STARTER KIT: FINE ART BUNDLE 3. Four pieces of incredible art from
Rovina Cai, Jensine Eckwall, Dadushin and Dorian Iten, housed within a limited edition Temple of Art Book! This is an incredible chance to both support the film and become an art collector simultaneously! Contains: Fox Hunting by Jensine Eckwall, Landscape by Rovina Cai, Atoll by Dadushin, Once and Future by Dorian Iten. Includes the $250 Limited Edition Book reward!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $750 or more
About $750

JIM MAHFOOD: EXQUISITE CORPSE ORIGINAL ART. This is your chance to own a wild and unruly Jim Mahfood interpretation of Stephanie Inagaki! Marked #4 on the Kickstarter page. 16x20, signed by the artists. Includes the $150 reward!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $750 or more
About $750

ZAK + SATINE: EXQUISITE CORPSE ORIGINAL ART. This will be the one and only chance to own a strange amalgam of TOA artists in the show! Marked #11 on the Kickstarter page. Contains: SATINE 16x20 by Zak Smith and Jon Schnepp, ZAK 16x20 by Stephanie Inagaki, Satine Phoenix and Christine Wu. Includes the $125 reward!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $750 or more
About $750

DAVID MACK: EXQUISITE CORPSE ORIGINAL ART.This will be the one and only chance to own a strange amalgam of three artists in the show, all on one canvas! Marked #12 on the Kickstarter page. DAVID MACK by Jim Mahfood, Jason Shawn Alexander and Jon Schnepp, 16x20. Includes the $125 reward!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $750 or more
About $750

CHRISTINE WU: EXQUISITE CORPSE ORIGINAL ART.This will be the one and only chance to own a strange amalgam of two artists in the show, all on one canvas! Marked #13 on the Kickstarter page. CHRISTINE WU by Soey Milk and Satine Phoenix, 16x20. Includes the $125 reward!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $750 or more
About $750

JASON SHAWN ALEXANDER/SOEY MILK: EXQUISITE CORPSE ORIGINAL ART. This will be the one and only chance to own a strange amalgam of two artists in the show, all on one canvas! Marked #14 on the Kickstarter page. Jason Shawn Alexander by and Soey Milk and Hikari Shimoda, 16x20. Includes the $125 reward!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $750 or more
About $750

JON SCHNEPP + ROMAN DIRGE: EXQUISITE CORPSE ORIGINAL ART. This will be the one and only chance to own an Egyptian amalgam of four artists in the show, the ultimate inner likeness of the Godlike Schnepp! Jon Schnepp by Roman Dirge, Holly Payne, Stephanie Inagaki and Satine Phoenix, 16x20, marked #15 on the Kickstarter campaign page! Includes the $125 reward!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $750 or more
About $750

SOEY MILK: EXQUISITE CORPSE ORIGINAL ART.This will be the one and only chance to own an amalgam of three artists in the show! Marked #17 on the Kickstarter page. Soey Milk by Jim Mahfood, Jon Schnepp and Satine Phoenix, 16x20. Includes the $125 reward!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $750 or more
About $750

ORIGINAL ART BY MULTIPLE ARTISTS. EXQUISITE CORPSE REWARD! This is your chance to own a unique and strange amalgam of three artists in the show! Neil Gaiman by Bill Sienkiewicz and David Mack, 16x20, signed by Neil and the artists. Plus all of the $150 and above rewards.!!!!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $750 or more
About $750

ORIGINAL ART BY MULTIPLE ARTISTS. EXQUISITE CORPSE REWARD!
SOUNDWAVE.
This is your chance to own a unique and strange amalgam of three artists in the show! Neil Gaiman by Bill Sienkiewicz and David Mack, 16x20, signed by Neil and the artists. Plus all of the $150 and above rewards.!!!!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

ORIGINAL ART BY MULTIPLE ARTISTS.
Exquisite Corpse Reward! This will be the one and only chance to own a strange amalgam of three artists in the show, all on one canvas! #2 Jim Mahfood by Jim Mahfood, Jason Shawn Alexander and Jon Schnepp, 16x20. Plus all of the $125 and above rewards.!!!!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

ORIGINAL ART BY MULTIPLE ARTISTS. EXQUISITE CORPSE REWARD! This is your chance to own a unique and strange amalgam of three artists in the show! #3 Neil Gaiman by Jim Mahfood, Jason Shawn Alexander and Amanda Palmer, 16x20, signed by Neil and the artists. Plus all of the $150 and above rewards.!!!!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

GRANT MORRISON ORIGINAL ART AND PROSE! The actual piece for the Temple of Art show! Grant will compose a spoken word piece and hand letter it atop a 16x20 archival print of himself! Plus all of the $150 and above rewards.!!!!